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Overview

With this adapter, you can connect Windows and Mac based Thunderbolt™ 3 computers to older Thunderbolt devices, such as external hard drives, Thunderbolt displays, and older Thunderbolt capable Mac computers.

Because this adapter is backward compatible, you can connect to first-generation Thunderbolt devices at 10Gbps speed. With Thunderbolt 2 devices, you can connect at 20Gbps. The adapter satisfies all requirements for bi-directional data transfers and simultaneous power for bus-powered devices.

The TBT3TBTADAP is backed by a 2-year warranty for guaranteed reliability.

Your computer’s Thunderbolt 3 ports might not function properly until you update one or more of the following on your computer:

This adapter is compatible with Thunderbolt™ displays only. It will not work with Mini DisplayPort (mDP) or DisplayPort (DP) monitors.

This is an 'Active' adapter cable. Any host system that doesn’t provide the full 15W of bus power won’t work with this device. Consult the manufacturer of your host system to determine how much bus power your host system provides.

Bi-directional power delivery up to 100W (not all Thunderbolt 3 devices support power delivery).

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3

Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

Backwards compatibility

If you use an adapter, Thunderbolt 3 host connections are compatible with Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 devices. You can use the StarTech.com TBT3TBTADAP to make a Thunderbolt 3 host connections backwards compatible.

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Although the Thunderbolt™ 3 standard is capable of data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps, not every cable can support this bandwidth. For example, cables over a certain length or made with certain materials are only capable of data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps.

To confirm the capability of your Thunderbolt 3 cable, refer to the information provided by the manufacturer. StarTech.com lists the capabilities of the Thunderbolt 3 cables on the individual product pages.

There are two different Thunderbolt 3 cable symbols: the 20Gbps symbol and the 40Gbps symbol. The 20Gbps symbol is composed of the Thunderbolt 3 symbol, and the 40Gbps symbol is composed of the Thunderbolt 3 symbol and the number three. These images are shown below.

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Thunderbolt 3 uses the USB-C connector, but not all host connections, cables, and devices with a USB-C connector support Thunderbolt 3. This means that a USB-C device is compatible with a Thunderbolt 3 host connection, but a Thunderbolt 3 device is not compatible with a USB-C host connection. Therefore, it is important to know whether you have a USB-C or a Thunderbolt 3 host, cable, or device.

To determine if your component is a Thunderbolt 3 device, look for the Thunderbolt 3 symbol (shown below). USB-C devices do not include this symbol. For more information about USB-C, see the following FAQ: http://www.startech.com/faq/usb-c-port-capabilites.

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This device requires that the Thunderbolt 3 host system provides 15W of bus power to the Thunderbolt 3 port. Thunderbolt 3 host systems that do not provide the full 15W of bus power will not work with this device.

Refer to the information provided by the manufacturer to confirm the power delivery capabilities of your host system.

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No, this device has an intended source and destination, and does not convert in the opposite direction. For more information about the order that this device converts in, refer to the title on the product page.

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No, this device will not pass through the full wattage of bus power from the host Thunderbolt 3 port. This adapter uses up to 4.5W of power, which prevents devices that require the full wattage of bus power from working.

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No, this device doesn't work when connected directly to an MST hub, a DisplayPort display, or a Mini DisplayPort display.

If you need to connect multiple displays to your Thunderbolt™ 3 system, you should use a Thunderbolt 3 adapter. StarTech.com offers a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual HDMI adapter (TB32HD2) and a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter (TB32DP2).

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How to

To check which version of the Thunderbolt™ software, NVM firmware, and drivers you are running, do the following:

Click Start.

Type Thunderbolt and click on the search result.

In the system tray, right-click the Thunderbolt icon.

Click Settings > Details.

Review the versions of the software package, NVM firmware, PD firmware, and drivers. If you are not running the latest versions, navigate to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest versions.

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If you accidentally set a Thunderbolt™3 device to not connect to your computer when prompted by the system, you can force the software to prompt you again for authentication. To do so, complete the following:

For more information about how to update the software, firmware, drivers, and BIOS or UEFI, refer to the website of the manufacturer of the Thunderbolt 3 host device. The following website includes links to some of the manufacturers of Thunderbolt 3 host devices: https://thunderbolttechnology.net/updates. If the manufacturer of your host device is not listed, you should contact the manufacturer or refer to their website for more information.

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If you are only getting a single display to work with your Thunderbolt™3 device, make sure that your Thunderbolt 3 host device can support two separate DisplayPort lines over Thunderbolt 3.

While Thunderbolt 3 supports dual monitors over a single connection, not all Thunderbolt 3 host devices are designed to meet this requirement. If your Thunderbolt 3 host device does not meet this requirement, you cannot troubleshoot this issue with software, firmware, or driver updates, and you cannot use this device to achieve dual displays over Thunderbolt 3. If you are not sure whether your Thunderbolt 3 host device supports dual monitors, contact your Thunderbolt 3 host device manufacturer.